NFC chip targets next-generation mobile payments

Qualcomm Atheros has released a near field communication (NFC) solution which will enable mobile devices with contactless communications and data exchange, including next-generation mobile payments.

With an overall footprint claimed to be 50 percent smaller than current NFC chips, the QCA1990 is a low-power 40nm SoC that offers platform-level integration with Snapdragon S4 and S5 processors and modems to seamlessly enable NFC on Qualcomm's OEM partner smartphones and tablets.

The QCA1990 software stack complies with the NFC Forum Controller Interface (NCI) and is fully integrated to enable faster time-to-market for customers. Its radio frequency performance exceeds requirements established by EMVCo and the NFC Forum, says the manufacturer.

With supported antenna form factors that are eight times smaller than current market offerings, QCA1990 offers significant cost savings for OEMs to integrate NFC at a significantly lower price point. The QCA1990 is pre-tested to meet the requirements from payment schemes, mobile operators and OEMs globally. The QCA1990 will sample to customers starting first quarter 2013.